Stamp Collection

Hi,

I'm new to stamps. I just inherited a LARGE collection. I don't know where to start. I don't know if I want to keep it, or sell it, or donate it to charity. I have books full of stamps from all over the world. I have envelopes with OLD stamps on them. How do I know what to type in google to find the stamp I have? It is overwhelming the ammout of stamps here. Can someone PLEASE give me an idea of where to start?

Welcome and you've come to the right place for help. First thing is take a deep breath - If you can do scans and upload pics we will be able to help alot but best bet is stopping at local library and asking for scotts catalogs. They will help for the most part although there are many subtle things that are hard at first. If it is a large collection take your time and I'll bet by the time your done figuring out what you have you may just become hooked on the hobby. There is pretty well an expert or great authority on this site that can and will help with probably every country known to man.

Hello, and welcome to the Community. I hope that you enjoy your time here as much as I do. You will learn allot from the other members of the forum. Like nitrolures just upload some pics so that we can see your collection.

Are you sure that you dont want to keep the collection? It is a very rewarding and enjoyable hobby!

Welcome Bongbro4
Part of my collection was inherited from my mother and I wouldn't part with them at any price.

It's just a matter of time and you will be hooked on this great hobby.

Cool, I will take a few pictures. I have stamps from around the world. should I focus on US stamps first, or all of it at once? I think I have three boxes of stamps, and assorted "stashes" found in amoungts personal items. I have a book with gold plated stamps in it. Where should I start?

Looking forward to seeing the pictures. Take a sampling first of items that seem organized (i.e., the ones in albums). However, for the time being just skip this...




If it is what I think it is (Postal Commemorative Society), those are plentiful and they aren't really gold-plated. No gold content whatsoever, simply gold colored replicas.



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Once again, welcome to Stamp Collecting Forum.

To answer your question about "where to start", I'd recommend you start slow. If you have US stamps, you can start there. Post a few scans for us to see and I'm sure some SCF members will be able to evaluate them for you. Do keep in mind that, with few exceptions, virtually any US stamp issued after 1940 has a relatively low value, so I'd start with the older material (pre-1940) if such exists in the collection.

I would also suggest you visit your Public Library to see if they have a set of Scott Stamp Catalogs. There are six volumes to it and covers stamps from most areas of the world. Some review of the material in those catalogs would give you a general idea of what stamps may be in your collection and which ones may be of value. Do keep in mind that catalog values are only guides, and very often common material is sold on the secondary market for only a fraction of the value listed in the catalog.

You may also want to consult a stamp dealer in your area who may be able to give you some guidance on whether or not you have a collection of significant value.

Not to discourage you, but the "gold plated stamps" you refer to are most likely to have been from mail order promotions that were highly popularized in the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's. Look at the title page or binder and see if it uses a phrase like "Postal Commemorative Society" which was one of the more popular hawkers of such material. Unfortunately, the only ones making any profit on those items were the promoters who sold these items to unsuspecting consumers. Most stamp collectors shy away from this material only because they are not truly stamps (i.e. paper stamps cannot be gold plated) but merely replicas that have such a minor trace of "gold" plating in them that the value is next to nothing.

Don't be discouraged, though. There have been many instances where a true gem of a stamp has been uncovered within a collection of seemingly common material. The best way to start is to scan a few examples here and we'll try and help.

Since the collection was an inheritance, I am assuming it was from a close friend or relative. As was suggested in an earlier post, you may also want to consider keeping the material and becoming a stamp collector yourself, as often the sentimental value of keeping such a collection "in the family" can often outweigh any monetary value you would gain by selling the material.

I hope these thoughts and comments are helpful to you.

I took ONE little stash of stamps that I found hidden in a book. They don't seem like much, but this was just to test my scanner that I haven't used in a couple of years. Please instruct me as to the best way to post scans/pictures on this forum. What are better, scans or photos?

I think I got it. I just dumped one LITTLE stash I found in a book. Tell me how these turn out, please.

Seem to be a bunch of older (but low value) stamps from Lichtenstein, along with some recent US stuff. Little CASH value, great collecting value. Enjoy.

Ok, now that I figured out the scanning/uploading thing, I'm ready to dig in. The first thing I think I will do is to separate all my foreign from my US. As I'm doing that, I will try to keep the oldest looking ones of each separated also. Once I find a butt load of old US stamps, I'll start scanning them. Should I just scan them into posts, or is there some other way to do this? Here are a few more from a hodge podge envelope.

BongBro4 lol Welcome and looks like you have a nice batch of stamps there! You have got some pretty good advice in this thread so far. I can only add that you should not get discouraged and get a scotts catalog from your library or a bookstore and really check out what you have there. I already found a little gem in your pile there~ That black 20¢ US stamp with the old fashioned looking truck on it (U.S. Scott #E14) is actually a really nice Back Of Book or "B.O.B." Special Delivery stamp and is cataloged at $1.00 used condition. It was from 1925. Pretty cool eh?
Good luck and stick around!

"That black 20¢ US stamp with the old fashioned looking truck on it (U.S. Scott #E14) is actually a really nice Back Of Book or "B.O.B." Special Delivery stamp and is cataloged at $1.00 used condition. It was from 1925. Pretty cool eh? "

Of course, try to get someone to actually PAY $1 for it….

Yes, very kool. I'll have to dig that one out and find a good place for it. Here are a few I found hidden in a book. Of course that don't mean much seeing as how the person who collected these was doing so in prison. I'm sure he hid a lot of things for no good reason.

Bongbrow4, if I may say with respect - there looks one fact for sure, time wasn't being done for re-locating valuable stamps.

bongbro4 welcome to the forum. Like stated above take a deep breath a, relax and enjoy what you have before you. There is much to learn and a lifetime to learn it in. Enjoy the stamps and don't let them overwhelm you.